SBIR / STTR #12836

Development of High-Speed Photon-Number-Resolution Imaging Sensor Array

This opportunity from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) seeks innovative development of a high-speed photon-number-resolution (PNR) quanta imaging sensor array. - Government Buyer: - Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) - Products/Services Requested: - High-speed photon-number-resolution quanta imaging sensor array - Photon counting rate: ≥120 MHz per pixel - Photon number resolution: 16 or greater - External quantum efficiency: ≥60% (450–550 nm) - Scalable to megapixel array sizes - Monochromatic operation - Advanced readout and on-chip processing (≥120 MHz frame rates in bursts, hardware-level data compression) - Operating temperature: -40°C to +45°C - Burst processing: ≥10^16 photons/sec - Low dark count rate for high-fidelity weak signal detection - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Proposals must document current commercial single-photon detector performance and limitations - Must propose new detection mechanisms or circuit architectures - Address scalability to large array sizes and advanced on-chip processing - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; open to all innovative solutions exceeding current state-of-the-art - OEMs: - No specific OEMs mentioned; opportunity is open to all qualified manufacturers and technology developers

Description

This solicitation seeks the development of an ultimate photon-number-resolution (PNR) sensor with specific performance parameters including photon counting rate, photon number resolution, quantum efficiency, array scalability, readout speed, and on-chip processing capabilities. Proposals should document the current state-of-the-art, identify limitations, propose new mechanisms or architectures, and address scalability challenges. The opportunity is open and responses are due by August 19, 2026. The procurement is under the STTR program and is managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

View original listing